Patriotism Quotes

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Appeal of Patriotism

A sea of red coats and white trousers, in perfect step, the airs of the Republic blasted with particular gusto,
the kind of sing-along oom pah pah
of which patriotism is made.

~ Anonymous

Attributes of Patriotism

Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave, blind as a stone and as irrational as a headless
hen.

~ Ambrose Bierce(born:1842-06-24 died:1914 at age:72)

Patriotism Defined

Patriotism: combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.

~ Ambrose Bierce(born:1842-06-24 died:1914 at age:72)

God and Country

God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.

~ Louis Buñuel(born:1900-02-22 died:1983-08-29 at age:83)

Religion of Hell

Patriotism is the religion of hell.

~ James Branch Cabell(born:1879-04-14 died:1958-05-05 at age:79)

Spread the Love

The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

~ Pablo Casals(born:1876-12-29 died:1973-10-22 at age:96)

Right or Wrong

My country, right or wrong is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except
in a desperate case. It is like saying My mother, drunk or sober.

~ G. K. Chesterton(born:1874-05-29 died:1936-06-14 at age:62)

Flags

There is hopeful symbolism in the fact that flags do not wave in a vacuum.

~ Arthur C. Clarke(born:1917-12-16 died:2008-03-19 at age:90)

Flag Show

Many a bum show has been saved by the flag.

~ George M. Cohan(born:1878-07-03 died:1942-11-05 at age:64)

Diverting Criticism

Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their
policies with patriotism and find criticism subversive.

~ Henry Steele Commager(born:1902-10-25 died:1998-03-02 at age:95)

Patriot = Fool

Never was patriot yet, but was a fool.

~ John Dryden(born:1631-08-19 died:1700-05-01 at age:68)

Refuge of Scoundrels

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising
remain the true duty of patriots.

~ Barbara Ehrenreich(born:1941-08-26 age:75)

Einstein’s Contempt

He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large
brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.

~ Albert Einstein(born:1879-03-14 died:1955-04-18 at age:76)

Hatred of Patriotism

Heroism on command, senseless violence and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism
— how passionately I hate them!

~ Albert Einstein(born:1879-03-14 died:1955-04-18 at age:76)

Loathsome Patriotism

I find it difficult to believe that I belong to such an idiotic, rotten species — the species that
actually boasts of its freedom of will, heroism on command, senseless violence and all of the loathsome nonsense
that goes by the name of patriotism.

Patriotism Ruins

Patriotism = Superstition

Patriotism… is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and
falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity and increases his arrogance and
conceit.

~ Emma Goldman(born:1869-06-27 died:1940-05-14 at age:70)

Selling War

Naturally the common people don’t want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in
Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is
always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a
parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the
leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for
lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

~ Hermann Göering(born:1893-01-02 died:1946-10-15 at age:53), President of the Reichstag, Nazi Party and
Luftwaffe Commander in Chief.

This is how George W. Bush and Barack Obama have managed to sell the Afghan and Iraq wars even
though neither Afghanistan nor Iraq ever attacked the USA. Strangely, Americans swallow the lie even when they know
the USA attacked Afghanistan and Iraq, not the reverse. They have been softened up by believing Christian
inconsistency.

Overblown Patriotism

Patriotism is proud of a country’s virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the
legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however,
trumpets its country’s virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of
other countries. It wants to be and proclaims itself to be, the greatest, but greatness
is not required of a country; only goodness is.

~ Sydney J. Harris(born:1917-09-14 died:1986-12-08 at age:69)

Phony Patriotism

A politician will do anything to keep his job even become a patriot.

~ William Randolph Hearst(born:1863 died:1951 at age:88)
US newspaper publisher, Recalled on his death 1951-08-14

Selling War

The U.S. public is depoliticised, poorly informed on foreign affairs… and strongly patriotic in the face
of a struggle with another Hitler. Even though the public is normally averse to war,
even with modest propaganda efforts… the public can be quickly transformed into enthusiastic supporters of
war.

~ Edward S. Herman(born:1928-04-07 age:88)

Crooked Patriotism

The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery;
standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy.

~ David Hume(born:1711-04-26 died:1776-08-25 at age:65)

Patriotism = Bully and Cheat

One of the great attractions of patriotism — it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we
are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are
profoundly virtuous.

~ Aldous Huxley(born:1894-07-26 died:1963-11-22 at age:69)

Dissent

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

~ Thomas Jefferson(born:1743-04-13 died:1826-07-04 at age:83)

The Last Refuge of Scoundrels

Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.

~ Samuel Johnson(born:1709-09-18 died:1784-12-13 at age:75)

Religion vs Patriotism

When a dog barks at the moon, then it is religion; but when he barks at strangers, it is patriotism!

~ David Starr Jordan(born:1851-01-19 died:1931-09-19 at age:80)

Questioning the Destruction of Liberty

Patriotism does not oblige us to acquiesce in the destruction of liberty. Patriotism obliges us to question it,
at least.

~ Wendy Kaminer(born:1950 age:66)

Patriotism = Religion

Patriotism is a kind of religion; it is the egg from which wars are hatched.

~ Guy de Maupassant(born:1850-08-05 died:1893-07-06 at age:42)

Definition of Patriotism

The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one’s country deep
enough to call her to a higher plain.

~ George McGovern(born:1922-07-19 died:2012-10-21 at age:90)

Selling with Patriotism

In the United States, doing good has come to be, like patriotism, a favorite device of persons with something to
sell.

~ Henry Louis Mencken(born:1880-09-12 died:1956-01-29 at age:75)

Definition of Patriotism

Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

~ George Jean Nathan(born:1882-02-14 died:1958-04-08 at age:76)

Invisible Atrocities

The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable
capacity for not even hearing about them.

~ George Orwell(born:1903-06-25 died:1950-01-21 at age:46)

Patriotism and Class Hatred

Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred and always stronger than internationalism.

~ George Orwell(born:1903-06-25 died:1950-01-21 at age:46)

Obliterating Morality

If patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, it is not merely because evil deeds
may be performed in the name of patriotism, but because patriotic fervor can obliterate moral distinctions
altogether.

~ Ralph B. Perry(born:1876-07-03 died:1957-01-22 at age:80)

Internationalist

Socrates said he was not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.

~ Plutarch(born:46 AD died:120 AD at age:74)On Banishment

Patriot Monkey

I can train a monkey to wave an American flag. That does not make the monkey patriotic.

~ Scott Ritter(born:1961-07-15 age:55)

Patriotism Defined

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public
official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him
insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by
inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to
tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.

~ Theodore Roosevelt(born:1858-10-27 died:1919-01-06 at age:60)

Killing For Their Country

Patriots always talk of dying for their country and never of killing for their country.

~ Bertrand Russell(born:1872-05-18 died:1970-02-02 at age:97)

Patriotism Defined

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.

~ Bertrand Russell(born:1872-05-18 died:1970-02-02 at age:97)

Bigger Outlook

A man’s feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.

~ George Santayana(born:1863-12-16 died:1952-09-26 at age:88)

Controlled by Geography

To me, it seems a dreadful indignity to have a soul controlled by geography.

~ George Santayana(born:1863-12-16 died:1952-09-26 at age:88)

Wrong To Be Put Right

The peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the
watchword of true patriotism: Our country — when right to be kept right; when wrong to
be put right.

~ Carl Schurz(born:1829-03-02 died:1906-05-14 at age:77)

Why Patriotism?

Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own.

~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca(born:4 BC died:65 AD at age:68)

Nationality

A healthy nation is as unconscious of its nationality as a healthy man of his bones. But if you break a
nation’s nationality it will think of nothing else but getting it set again.

~ George Bernard Shaw(born:1856-07-26 died:1950-11-02 at age:94)

Patriotism = Idiocy

Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy.

~ George Bernard Shaw(born:1856-07-26 died:1950-11-02 at age:94)

Patriotism Must Go

You’ll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the human race.

~ George Bernard Shaw(born:1856-07-26 died:1950-11-02 at age:94)

Why This Country?

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in
it.

~ George Bernard Shaw(born:1856-07-26 died:1950-11-02 at age:94)

Frank Assessment

Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to
serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins and penitence for them.

Patriotism is Tranquil

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a
lifetime.

~ Adlai Stevenson(born:1900-02-05 died:1965-07-14 at age:65)

Respectable War

During times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of
patriotism.

~ Howard Thurman(born:1899 died:1981-04-10 at age:81)

Patriot = Insult

The time is fast approaching when to call a man a patriot will be the deepest insult you can offer him.
Patriotism now means advocating plunder in the interest of the privileged classes of the particular State system
into which we have happened to be born.

~ Leo Tolstoy(born:1828-09-09 died:1910-11-07 at age:82)

Man is the Only Patriot

Man is the only Patriot. He sets himself apart in his own country, under his own flag and sneers at the other
nations and keeps multitudinous uniformed assassins on hand at heavy expense to grab slices of other people’s
countries and keep them from grabbing slices of his. And in the intervals between campaigns he washes the blood off
his hands and works for the universal brotherhood of man — with his mouth.

~ Mark Twain(born:1835-11-30 died:1910-04-21 at age:74)

Patriotism

Born in iniquity and conceived in sin, the spirit of nationalism has never ceased to bend human institutions to
the service of dissension and distress.

~ Thorstein Veblen(born:1857-07-30 died:1929-08-03 at age:72)

Patriot = Enemy of Mankind

It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.

Pretended Patriotism

Patriotic Beer

Beer commercials are so patriotic: Made the American Way. What does that have to do
with America? Is that what America stands for? Feeling sluggish and urinating frequently?

~ Evelyn Waugh(born:1903-10-08 died:1966-04-10 at age:62)

Patriotism Not Constructive

Patriotism has become a mere national self assertion, a sentimentality of flag-cheering with no constructive
duties.

~ H. G. Wells(born:1866-09-21 died:1946-08-13 at age:79)

Virtue of the Vicious

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

~ Oscar Wilde(born:1854-10-16 died:1900-11-30 at age:46)

Suspicious of Freedom

There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our
Puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to
reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance
to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the
Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom. The other vision finds its roots in
the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves
freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees
America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of
country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational
conformity. This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to
proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

~ Rabbi Sherwin Wine(born:1928-01-25 died:2007-01-21 at age:78)

Blind Patriotism

You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no
matter who says it.

~ Malcolm X(born:1925-05-19 died:1965-02-21 at age:39)

Blinded By Patriotism

You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who
does it or says it.